SARAJEVO, October 23, 2007 – HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority led a 15-member delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday to view the situation of education in this country as part of the Dubai Cares campaign launched under the auspices of his father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai.

Unperturbed by an unseasonal and heavy snow storm, HH Sheikh Maktoum spent the day visiting schools in Kiseljak, Vojkovici, and Sarajevo, interacting with students, teachers, municipal and Ministry of Education officials. He saw first-hand the situation and complexities of the post-conflict education systems set up following the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995, which include the segregation of students and teaching of multiple curricula, even under one school roof—the phenomenon known as “Two Schools Under One Roof”.

He asked students about their aspirations and daily lives, and was informed about some of the challenges some of them face, including having to walk 16 km every day to attend school, and the difficulties their parents face in buying textbooks, food, clothing, and other education-related materials.

"The Dubai Cares campaign is building new bridges between peoples who have as a common goal the provision of quality basic education to all children, especially those who are socially excluded and in need of support and protection.” – UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, June Kunugi

“We in UNICEF were very honoured by the visit of His Highness and were proud to facilitate direct contact between His Highness, the children and their teachers, who spoke openly to their new friend. The Dubai Cares campaign is building new bridges between peoples who have as a common goal the provision of quality basic education to all children, especially those who are socially excluded and in need of support and protection.” – said June Kunugi, UNICEF Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Dubai Cares Campaign was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to educate one million children and help eradicate ignorance and illiteracy. The campaign is part of Dubai’s contribution towards the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goal of providing basic education to every child by 2015.